Disconnect device

Abstract

A method for installing a wedge connector positioned between two conductive cables includes connecting a head coupler portion of a disconnect assembly to a wedge frame, wherein the head coupler portion includes an extension rod within a longitudinal bore; positioning the wedge frame and a first end of the extension rod against the wedge connector; connecting the head coupler portion to a tool coupler portion of the disconnect assembly, wherein the tool coupler portion is connected to a hydraulic drive tool that includes a ram; causing the hydraulic drive tool to apply force to a second end of the extension rod, wherein applying the force to the second end causes the first end to apply force to the wedge connector; and disconnecting the head coupler portion from the tool coupler portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for installing a wedge connector positioned between two conductive cables, the method comprising:
 connecting a head coupler portion of a disconnect assembly to a wedge frame, wherein the head coupler portion includes an extension rod within a longitudinal bore; 
 positioning the wedge frame and a first end of the extension rod against the wedge connector; 
 connecting the head coupler portion to a tool coupler portion of the disconnect assembly, wherein the tool coupler portion is connected to a hydraulic drive tool that includes a ram; 
 causing the hydraulic drive tool to apply force to a second end of the extension rod, wherein applying the force to the second end causes the first end to apply force to the wedge connector; and 
 disconnecting the head coupler portion from the tool coupler portion, 
 wherein connecting the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion includes inserting a part of the head coupler portion into an open channel of the tool coupler portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing the hydraulic drive tool to apply force to the second end of the extension rod includes causing the ram to extend into the longitudinal bore of the head coupler portion. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 causing the hydraulic drive tool to retract the ram from the longitudinal bore. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the part of the head coupler portion includes a set of annular protrusions on an exterior surface of the part of the head coupler portion. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the open channel of the tool coupler portion includes a set of grooves corresponding to the set of annular protrusions. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 engaging a retention system to retain the head coupler portion within the open channel of the tool coupler portion. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 before disconnecting the head coupler portion from the tool coupler portion, disengaging the retention system. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting, after connecting the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion, a depth of insertion of a threaded portion of the head coupler portion into the wedge frame. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting, before connecting the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion, a depth of insertion of a threaded portion of the head coupler portion into the wedge frame. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for installing a wedge connector positioned between two conductive cables, the method comprising:
 connecting a head coupler portion of a disconnect assembly to a wedge frame, the head coupler portion, including:
 a threaded portion on a first part of an exterior surface to connect to the wedge frame, 
 a longitudinal bore, 
 a cylindrical rod configured to slide longitudinally within the longitudinal bore, and 
 a set of annular protrusions on a second part of the exterior surface; and 
 
 connecting the head coupler portion to a tool coupler portion of the disconnect assembly, wherein the tool coupler portion is connected to a hydraulic drive tool that includes a ram, the tool coupler portion including:
 a threaded bore configured to mechanically attach the tool coupler portion to the hydraulic drive tool, 
 a channel to receive the second part of the exterior surface of the head coupler portion, wherein the channel includes a set of grooves to receive the set of annular protrusions on the second part of the exterior surface and restrict axial motion of the head coupler portion with respect to the tool coupler portion, and 
 a retention body of the disconnect assembly that, when the second part of the exterior surface of the head coupler portion is positioned in the channel, is displaceable to a locked position to lockingly secure the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion, 
 wherein, when the head coupler portion is connected to the tool coupler portion, the ram is configured to engage the cylindrical rod to apply force to an object in the wedge frame; and 
 
 causing the hydraulic drive tool to apply a second force to a second end of the cylindrical rod, wherein applying the force to the second end causes a first end of the cylindrical rod to apply force to the wedge connector. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein causing the hydraulic drive tool to apply force to the second end of the cylindrical rod includes causing the ram to extend into the longitudinal bore of the head coupler portion. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 causing the hydraulic drive tool to retract the ram from the longitudinal bore. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of connecting the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion of the disconnect assembly includes displacing, automatically and when the second part of the exterior surface of the head coupler portion is positioned in the channel, the retention body to a locked position to lockingly secure the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion, the retention body being biased to the locked position by a spring, and wherein the method further includes the steps of:
 releasing the retention body from locked position, and 
 disconnecting, after releasing the retention body from the lock position, the head coupler portion from the tool coupler portion. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein connecting the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion includes inserting the head coupler portion into the channel of the tool coupler portion. 
     
     
       15. A method for installing a wedge connector positioned between two conductive cables, the method comprising:
 connecting a head coupler portion of a disconnect assembly to a wedge frame, wherein the head coupler portion includes an extension rod within a longitudinal bore; 
 positioning the wedge frame and a first end of the extension rod against the wedge connector; 
 connecting the head coupler portion to a tool coupler portion of the disconnect assembly, wherein the tool coupler portion is connected to a hydraulic drive tool that includes a ram, the connecting step including displacing, when the head coupler portion is positioned in a channel of the tool coupler portion, one or more retention bodies of an engagement system of the disconnect assembly to lockingly secure the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion; 
 causing the hydraulic drive tool to apply force to a second end of the extension rod, wherein applying the force to the second end causes the first end to apply force to the wedge connector; and 
 causing the hydraulic drive tool to retract the ram from the longitudinal bore. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 disconnecting the head coupler portion from the tool coupler portion. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the displacing of the one or more retention bodies comprises displacing, by a force of a biasing spring, at least one of the one or more retention bodies to a locked position at which the at least one retention body lockingly secures the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further including the step of disconnecting the head coupler portion from the tool coupler portion including releasing the retention body of the engagement system from lockingly securing the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion before removing the head coupler portion from a channel of the tool coupler portion. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 adjusting, after connecting the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion, a depth of insertion of the head coupler portion into the wedge frame, and wherein the adjusting comprises rotating the head coupler portion without rotating the tool coupler portion and without releasing the retention body from lockingly securing the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 adjusting, before connecting the head coupler portion to the tool coupler portion, a depth of insertion of the head coupler portion into the wedge frame.